Knock (1925 film)

Knock, also known as Knock, or the Triumph of Medicine (Knock, ou le Triomphe de la médecine), is a 1925 French silent comedy film directed by René Hervil and starring Fernand Fabre, Maryse Dauvray, and Michel Simon. It is based on the 1923 play Knock ou le Triomphe de la médecine by Jules Romains.

The film tells the story of Dr. Knock, a shrewd and ambitious physician who arrives in a small, healthy village. Determined to increase his income and demonstrate his medical prowess, Knock systematically convinces the villagers that they are suffering from various ailments, creating a thriving clientele where none previously existed. He uses suggestion, scare tactics, and creative diagnoses to achieve his goal. The film satirizes the medical profession and human susceptibility to suggestion and fear. It is notable for its comedic timing and Fernand Fabre's portrayal of the manipulative Dr. Knock.